A  FEW  WORDS  ABOUT  LENT, 


PENITENTIAL  PSALMS, 


SENTENCES  FROM  SCRIPTURE, 


OTHER    DEVOTION'S    SUITABLE    FOR    THAT 
SEASON. 


BD     15  V     A     1.  A  V  M    V  V 


.ESTON: 

OF     EVAN'S    a     COGSWELL, 

Broa  1  an  I  I  street. 

L861. 


PempUet  Collect 
Duke  .Divinity  School 


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_v_^ 


A  FEW  WORDS  ABOUT  LENT. 


BY    THE     KI'.V.   CH  Mtl.r.S    T.  QUINTARD, 

kurch  of  the  Advent,   Nashville,  Tennessee. 


w  .    leai  feast  ol  Lent!  who  lew*  not  thee 

He  love?  not  tempera  m  <■  or  authority, 

Bui  is  composed  of  passion. 
The  Scripture*  hid  us  fast;  the  Church  says  now 
Giv<   to  thy  moth ei  what  thou  wouldflt  allow 
\  •  ry  corporation. 

— ••  Ttu  Church,"  by  Herbert. 


O  fcORD,  who  for  our  sake  didst  fast  forty  days 
and  forty  nights,  give  us  grace  to  use  such  abstinence 
taal  <>ur  flesh  being  subdued  to  the  spirit,  we  may 
ever  obey  Thy  godly  motions  in  righteousness  and 
true  holiness,  to  Thy  honor  and  glory,  who  livest  ami 
reignesl  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  one 
Goa,  world  without  end.      Amen. 

There  are  many,  very  many  mistakes  about  Lent. 
People  generally  speak  of  it  as  a  time  of  fasting,  a 
seascto  of  self-denial,  and  so  it  is;  but  this  is  not  all. 
There  are  many  persons  in  the  Church  who  have  no 


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definite  idea  about  this  holy  season,  whose  notions 
i'all  as  far  short  of  the  truth  as  those  of  persons  out  of 
the  Church.  To  think  or  speak  of  Lent  merely  as  a 
season  of  abstinence  from  food,  or  as  a  time  in  which 
we  are  required  to  eat  coarser  food  than  we  usually 
do,  is  very  wrong — very  much  short  of  the  truth.  It 
is  a  season  in  which  the  Church  requires  her  children 
to  "  turn  unto  the  Lord  with  all  their  hearts,  and 
with  fasting,  and  with  weeping,  and  with  mourning," 
"  worthily  lamenting  their  sins,  and  acknowledging 
their  wretchedness,  that  they  may  obtain  of  Him 
who  is  the  God  of  all  mercy  perfect  remission  and 
forgiveness,  through  Jesus  Christ  their  Lord."  The 
Lenten  Fast  was  established  in  Apostolic  times.  It 
is  mentioned  in  the  Apostolic  Canons,  and  by  various 
Christian  writers  in  the  second  and  third  centuries. 
The  Council  of  Nice,  A.  D.  325,  and  that  of  Laodi- 
cea,  A.  D.  365,  speak  of  Lent  as  an  institution  gen- 
erally observed  by  the  Church.  It  is  a  very  precious 
legacy  of  the  primitive  Church,  and  if  we  make  a 
proper  use  of  it,  we  shall  find  it  a  means  of  grace 
full  of  blessing  to  our  souls. 

The  Lenten  Season  is  especially  a  season 
of  Prayer. 

It  is  a  season  during  which  the  Church  demands 
more  than  ordinary  devotion  from  her  children.    Her 

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services  arc  increased — are  of  a  more  solemn  charac- 
ter— arc  such  a>  are  best  adapted  o>  lead  our  thoughts 
away  from  the  things  of  this  world,  to  contemplate 
the  mysteries  of  Redemption.  Every  da}  she  would 
have  her  children  prostrate  themselves  in  ( Jod's  house, 
ami  pray  that  He  would  "create  and  make  within 
them  new  and  contrite  hearts."  The  services  of  the 
Church  keep  two  facts  prominently  before  our  minds : 
our  sinfulness,  Christ's  holiness;  our  need.  Christ's 
sufficiency. 

But,  beloved,  in  order  that  we  may  learn  our  own 
sinfulness,  we  must  subject  ourselves  to  careful  and 
diligent  self-examination.  To  do  this  thoroughly, we 
should  carry  our  scrutiny  back  to  the  earliest  recol- 
lections of  life,  and  through  the  inmost  recejsses  of 
our  thoughts.  It  is  well,  Therefore,  to  use  some  su  h 
plan  as  the  following,  when  we  can  take  time  to  it. 
and  work  out  each  part  carefully: 

Let  our  lite  be  divided  into  periods,  such  as  child- 
hood, boyhood,  youth,  early  manhood,  active  life,  or 
such  others  as  may  be  marked  in  each  one's  own  his- 
tory. Then  let  fts  take  the  Ten  Commandments, 
aded  and  applied  to  the  various  duties  of  liie, 
as  most  of  us  have  learned  from  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount,  and  from  the  Church  Catechism,  and  the 
explanations  of  these,  and  think  whether  we  have 
kept  each  of  those  laws  faithfully,  during  one  period 
of  oar  lives,  before  we  go  on  to  another.     Or,  take 

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the  vows  and  promises  of  Holy  Baptism,  and  let  ns 
search  and  examine  ourselves  to  see  how  close  we 
have  lived  up  to  our  profession — "  which  is  to  follow 
the  example  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  and  to  be  made 
like  unto  Him."  And  if  we  know  ourselves  to  have 
any  particular  besetting  sin,  that  is  now  or  has  lately 
been  more  powerful  over  us  than  others,  let  us  be 
careful  to  search  out  the  very  earliest  beginnings  of 
it,  and  find  out,  if  possible,  when  and  how  it  stole  in 
upon  us,  and  in  what  matter  we  first  grievously  de- 
parted from  God. 

Of  course,  this  way  of  proceeding  will  be  a  work 
of  days,  if  not  of  weeks  ;  but  being  well  done,  it  will 
be  a  real  step  in  our  lives,  the  groundwork  of  a  thor- 
ough conversion  to  God  in  one  who  has  hitherto  lived 
to  himself,  or  of  a  solid  building  up  of  the  spiritual 
man  in  one  who  is  already  resting  on  Christ  the 
Rock,  with  a  hearty  will  "  to  do  the  things  he  has 
heard." 

The  Lenten  Season  is  a  season  of  Fasting. 

Many  good  people  seem  to  think  that  religion  has 
been  so  greatly  improved  in  these  latter  days  that 
they  can  get  along  very  well  without  fasting.  But 
they  are  mistaken.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same  yester- 
day, to-day,  and  forever.  And  His  Church  is  the 
same :  the  same  in  its  ministry,  in  its  sacraments,  in 

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lis  word;  it  has  the  same  weans  of  grace  no* 
had  ;!t  the  first  Od  the  subjecl  of  fasting,  our  Lord 
has  not  left  us  in  any  dpubf  ;  he  refers  to  it  often  as 
an  undoubted  duty,  and  gives  us  rules  for  the  proper 
observance  of  it  Thus,  in  St.  Matthew  vi,  16,  he 
says:  "When  yefast,,be  not  as  the  hypocrites."  Be 
does  not  enjoin  His  followers  to  fast,  for  he  assumes 
that  they  would  do  so.  He  doej  not  say,  "If  ye  fast, 
be  not  as  the  hypoerhfe."  But  taking  it  for  granted 
that    His  followers  would  fast,  he  tells  them  how  to 

d  says,  ■■  When  ye  fast,"  -when  thou  fas 
etc.  So  he  had  said  just  before,  ••When  thou  doest 
alms"  -When  thou  prayesL*  It  is  taken  as  a  mat- 
ter of  course  that  those  who  desire  to  Berve  God 
acceptably  will  do  these  things  according  to  their 
abilities  and  opportunities,  with  glad  and  willing 
minds,  without  questioning  or  doubting.  The  three 
duties  are.  in  this  respect,  put  upon  precisely  the 
same  footing.  There  may  be  eases  in  which  it  would 
be  wrong  to  fast,  in  which  a  man  lias  no  alms  to  be- 
stow, or  in  which  retirement  for  the  purpo 
prayer  is  impossible;  but  these  are  the  exceptions, 
not  the  rule.  The  Church  wisely  leaves  her  mem- 
bers each  one  to  determine  for  himself  how  orach 
self-denial  he  can  put  upon  himself.  She  giv<  -  us 
no  rules.  She  bids  us  fast,  each  one  of  us  according 
to  our  ability, but  she  does  not  tell  ushoto  to  do  so. 
She   bids  us   "give  alms  of  our  goods,"  but   lavs 


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down  no  other  rule  than  that  we  are  to  be  merciful 
after  our  power.  "If  thou  hast  much,  give  plente- 
ously :  if  thou  hast  little,  do  thy  diligence  gladly  to 
give  of  that  little,  for  so  gatherest  thou  thyself  a  good 
reward  in  the  day  of  necessity."  And  just  so  her 
rule  about  fasting — each  one  must  judge  for  himself 
the  measure  of  his  ability ;  only  let  us  all  be  sure 
that  we  do  "  gladly,"  after  our  power. 

The  Lenten  Season  is  a  season  of  with- 
drawal FROM  WORLDLY  PLEASURES  AND  AMUSE- 
MENTS. 


It  is  the  part  and  duty  of  every  person  who,  by 
baptism,  has  put  on  Christ,  at  all  times  "  to  walk  an- 
swerably  to  their  Christian  calling,  and  as  becometh 
the  children  of  light."  All  baptized  Christians  have 
renounced  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  and 
how  far,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  they  may 
mingle  in  the  amusements  of  the  world,  is  a  question 
which  each  individual  must  determine  for  himself. 
To  his  own  Master  he  must  stand  or  fall.  Yet  there 
are  times  and  seasons  when  there  can  be  no  mistake 
on  this  subject,  and  "  when  the  Church  has  decided 
that  her  children  must  retire,  in  a  peculiar  manner, 
from  this  world,  to  think  of  that  which  is  to  come" 
Lent  is  such  a  season.  Listen  to  the  tones  of  earnest 
repentance  which  the  services  of  the  Church  breathe 


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forth,  and   say  whether,  after  giving   utterance    to 

we  can  rush  at  once  into  the  embraces  of  a 
i  world  from  which  we  have  just  prayed  to  be  deliv- 
ered.    It  Is  a  miserable  mockery  for  us  to  ,Lr"  into  the 
Lord's  house  and  pray,  a  Turn  thou  us,  0  good  Lord, 
and  s<>  shall  we  be  turned.     /><■  favorable,  0  Lord,  be 

\Ue  to  thp  people,  who  turn  to  thee  in  weeping, 
fasting  and  prayer"  and  then  to  go  out  into  the 
world,  to  in  mingle  all  its  lightness  and  vanity  and 
sin. 

1  have  thus  told  you  plainly  how  von  must  act, 
what  you  must  do  if  you  would  in  deed  and  in  truth 
enjoy  the  rich  blessings  which  the  Lenten  - 

to  all  who  properly  improve  it.     Be  constant 

attendance  on  the  services  of  the  Chnreh — 

regular  in  your  private  devotions  —  give  gladly  of 

ods.     Judge  yourselves — afflict  yourselves — 

your  bodies  into  subjection,  and  keep  aloof 
from  the  world.  Take  up  your  cross  daily.  J.<!i<. 
your  Saviour,  chose  the  cross;  and  what  a  mockery 
of  the  faith  that  is  which  gives  us  all  of  religion  hut 
the  trial,  which  exhibits  the  Master  in  hourly  tribu- 
lation, yet  would  have  His  people  clothed  in  soft  rai- 
ment, as  it'  sanctification   were  vicarious  as  well    as 

ttent,  and  in  bearing  all  our  sins  He  bore  all 
our  sufferings  also.     ()  my  beloved  people  !  if  God — 

ly  kind— has  not  afflicted  you.  learn  in  some 
way  to  afflict  yourselves.     Allay  the  fever  of  fleshly 


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10 


will  by  mortification ;  of  ambitious  desires  by  pur- 
posed and  resolute  self-abasement.  Exercise  your 
hearts  in  a  loving  sympathy  with  sorrow  in  every 
form  ;  soothe  it,  minister  to  it,  succor  it,  revere  it.  It 
is  a  relic  of  Christ  in  the  world,  an  image  of  the  great 
Sufferer,  a  shadow  of  the  cross.  It  is  a  holy  and  a 
venerable  thing. 

Tt  's  true  we  cannot  reach  Christ's  forti'th  day ; 

Yet  to  go  part  of  that  religious  way- 
Is  hetter  than  to  rest; 

We  cannot  reach  our  Saviour's  puritie; 

Yet  we  are  bid,  "  Be  holy  ev'n  as  He." 
In  both  let's  do  our  best. 


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fa 


Who  goeth  in  the  way  which  Christ  hath  gone 
Is  much  more  sure  to  meet  with  Him,  than  one 

That  travelleth  by-way es. 
Perhaps  my  God,  though  He  be  farre  before, 
May  turn  and  take  me  by  the  hand,  and  more, 

May  strengthen  my  decayes. 


— Herbert. 


A 


<e 


PENITENTIAL  PSALM, 

COLLECTED    OUT   OF   THE   BOOK   OF   PSALMS. 
I. 

O  Lord,  rebuke  me  not  in  thine  indignation  ;  nei- 
ther chasten  me  in  thy  displeasure. 

Hare  mercy  upon  me,  0  Lord,  for  I  am  weak  :  O 
Lord,  heal  me,  for  my  bones  are  vexed 

M\  soul  also  is  sore  troubled;  but,  Lord,  how  long 
wilt  thou  punish  me  ?     Psalm  vi,  1,  2,  3. 

Thou  hast  set  our  misdeeds  before  thee,  and  our 
secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance.  Psalm 
xc,  8. 

But  mine  eyes  look  upon  thee,  O  Lord  God:  in 
thee  is  my  trust:  O  cast  not  out  my  soul.  Psalm 
exli,  9. 

Turn  thee.  O  Lord,  and  deliver  my  soul:  O  save 
me  for  thy  mercies'  sake.     Psalm  vi,  4. 

Deliver  me  from  all  mine  offences.     Psalm  xxxix.  !>. 

Call  to  remembrance,  O  Lord,  thy  tender  mercies 
and  thy  loving-kindnesses,  which  have  been  ever  of 
old. 

O  remember  not  the  sins  and  offences  of  my 
youth;  but  according  to  thy  mercy  think  thou  upon 
me,  0  Lord,  for  thy  goodness.     Psalm  xxv,  5,  6. 

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For  thy  Name's  sake,  O  Lord,  be  merciful  unto 
my  sin,  for  it  is  great.     Psalm  xxv,  10. 

Turn  thee  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me ;  for 
I  am  desolate  and  in  misery. 

The  sorrows  of  my  heart  are  enlarged:  O  bring 
thou  me  out  oi  my  troubles. 

Look  upon  my  adversity  and  misery,  and  forgive 
me  all  my  sin.     Psalm  xxv,  15-17. 

O  hide  not  thou  thy  face  from  me  ;  nor  cast  thy 
servant  away  in  displeasure.     Psalm  xxvii,  10. 

Withdraw  not  thou  thy  mercy  from  me,  O  Lord; 
let  thy  loving-kindness  and  thy  truth  alway  preserve 
me. 

My  sins  have  taken  such  hold  upon  me,  that  I  am 
not  able  to  look  up ;  yea,  they  are  more  in  number 
than  the  hairs  of  my  head,  and  my  heart  hath  failed 
me.     Psalm  xi,  14,  15. 

O  Lord,  let  it  be  thy  pleasure  to  deliver  me :  make 
haste,  O  Lord,  to  help  me.     Psalm  xi,  16. 

If  thou,  Lord,  wilt  be  extreme  to  mark  what  is 
done  amiss,  O  Lord,  who  may  abide  it  ?  Psalm 
exxx,  3. 

My  misdeeds  prevail  against  me  :  O  be  thou  mer- 
ciful unto  our  sins.     Psalm  lxv,  3. 

Lord,  be  merciful  unto  me :  heal  my  soul,  for  I 
have  sinned  against  thee.     Psalm  xli,  4. 

My  confusion  is  daily  before  me ;  and  the  shame  of 
my  face  hath  covered  me.     Psalm  xliv,  16. 


^?- 


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L8 


y  wii  kednessi  a  are  gone  over  my  head,  and 
arc  like  a  sore  burden,  too  heavy  for  me  t<«  bear. 
Psalm  nx.w iii.  4. 

my  prayer,  ()  Lord, and  with  thine  ears  con- 
aider  my  calling;  hold  not   thy  peace  at  my  : 
Psalm  xxxix.  13. 

And  hide  not  thy  face  from  thy  servant,  for  T  am  j 
in  trouble:  ()  haste  thee,  and  hear  me.     Psalm  bcix, 
18. 

thy  servant  the  light  of  thy  com 
and  save  me  for  thy  mercies'  sake.      Psalm  xxxi.  18. 

Thy  mercy,  0  Lord,  reacheth  unto  the  he; 
andthv  faithfulness  unto  the  clouds.    Psalm  xxxvi,  5. 


II. 
Bear  tyer,  O  Lord,  and  consider  my  d 

hearken   unto  me  for  thy  truth  and  righteo 

sake. 

And  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant; 
for  in  thy  sight  shall  ho  man  living  be  justified. 
Psalm  cxliii,  1,  2. 

I  have  gone  astray  like  a  sheep  '.hat  i-  lost  :  <> 
seek  thy  servant;  for  I  do  not  forget  thy  command- 
ments.    Psalm  i-xix.  i ;.;. 

Quicken  me,  <>  Lord,  for  thy  N  i  ;  and 

for  thy  righteousness'  sake  bring  my  soul  <>nt  of  trou- 
ble.    Psalm  cxliii,  11. 


> 


8> 


tft 


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14 


Haste  thee  to  help  me,  0  Lord  God  of  my  salva- 
tion.    Psalm  xxxviii,  22. 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  0  God,  after  thy  great 
goodness;  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies 
do  away  mine  offences. 

Wash  me  throughly  from  my  wickedness,  and 
cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 

For  I  acknowledge  my  faults  ;  and  my  sin  is  ever 
before  me.     Psalm  li,  1,  2,  3. 

Thou  shalt  purge  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be 
clean  :  thou  shalt  wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter 
than  snow. 

Thou  shalt  make  me  hear  of  joy  and  gladness,  that 
the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 

Turn  thy  face  from  my  sins ;  and  put  out  all  my 
misdeeds. 

Make  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God ;  and  renew  a 
right  spirit  within  me. 

Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence ;  and  take 
not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me. 

O  give  me  the  comfort  of  thy  help  again  ;  and 
stablish  me  with  thy  free  Spirit.     Psalm  li,  7-12. 

The  sacrifice  of  God  is  a  troubled  spirit ;  a  broken 
and  contrite  heart,  O  God,  shalt  thou  not  despise. 
Psalm  li,  17. 

O  remember  not  our  old  sins:  but  have  mercy 
upon  us,  and  that  soon  :  for  we  are  come  to  great 
misery.     Psalm  lxxix,  8. 


S-- 


* 


^ 

15 

Help  ne,  0  God  of  our  salvation,  for  the  glory  of 
thy  Name:  ()  deliver  as,  and  be  merciful  unto  oar 
sins  for  iliy  Name's  sake.     Psalm  Ixxix,  9. 

D  ii  thou  witb  me,  0  Lord  God,  according  unto 
thy  X.iiu   :  for  sweet  is  thy  mercy.      Psalm  cix,  20. 

Comfort  the  soul  of  thy  servant^  for  unto  thee,  0 
Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul.     Psalm  lxxxvi,  I. 

Be  merciful  unto  me,  (>  Lord;  for  I  will  call  daily 
upon  thee.     Psalm  lxxxvi,  .">. 

thou,  Lord,  art  good  and  gracious,  and  of 
great  merry  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  thee. 
Psalm  lxxxvi,  5. 

I  should  utterly  have  fainted,  but  that  I  believe 
verily  to  see  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of 
the  living.     Psalm  xxvii,  1">. 

I  remembered  thine  everlasting  judgments,  O  Lord, 
and  received  comfort     Psalm  cxix,  52. 

O  think  upon  thy  servant,  as  concerning  thy  word, 
in  thou  hast  eau.-ejl  me  to  put  my  trust.    Psalm 
cxix.  49. 

The  same  is  my  comfort  in  my  trouble:  for  thy 
word  hath  quickened  me.     Psalm  cxix,  50. 

Thou  art  my  helper  and  my  redeemer;  ()  Lord, 
make  no  long  tarrying.     Psalm  Ixx,  G. 

Let  thy  merciful  kindness.  ()  Lord,  be  upon  us. 
like  as  we  do  put  our  trust  in  Thee.  Psalm  xxxiu, 
21. 

> — q 


16 


Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  me. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven ;  hallowed  be  thy 
name;  thy  kingdom  come;  thy  will  be  done  on  earth 
as  it  is  in  heaven  ;  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread ; 
and  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those 
who  trespass  against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into 
temptation  ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil.  For  thine  is  j 
the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  forever 
and  ever.     Amen. 

O  Lord,  hear  my  prayer;   and  let  my  cry  conu: 
unto  Thee. 


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SENTENCES  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts;  Consider  your  ways. 
Hag.  i.  7. 

Let  every  man  prove  his  own  work,  and  then  shall 
he  have  rejoicing  in  himself  alone,  and  not  in  anoth- 
er cry  man  shall  hear  his  own  burden.       Gal. 
vi,  4,  5. 

Let  us  search  and  try  our  ways,  and  turn  again  to 
the  Lord.      Lam.  iii.  4o. 

nune   with  your  own  heart  upon  your  bed, 
and  be  still.     Psalm  iv,  4. 

I  thought  on  my  ways,  and  turned  my  feet  unto 
Thy  testimonies.     Psalm  exix,  59. 

I  have  considered  the  days  of  old,  and  the  years 
e  past.     Psalm  lxxvii,  5. 

[  ommune  with  my  own  heart,  and  search  out  my 
spirits.     Psalm  lxxvii,  6. 

[f  our  h<    it  condemns  us,  God  is  greater  than  our 
iiiu  knoweth  all  things.     1  John  iii.  20. 

Try  me,  O  God,  and  seek  the  ground  of  my  heart: 
prove  me,  and  examine  my  thoughts.  Psalm  exx.xix, 
28. 

Who  can  understand  his  errors  ?  cleanse  thou  me 
from  secrel  faults.     Psalm  xix,  12. 

Look  well  if  there  be  any  way  of  wickedness  in 
me  :  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting.  Psalm 
exxxix,  _'  I. 


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PRAYER  BEFORE  EXAMINATION. 


Most  great  and  holy  Lord  God,  who  searchest  the 
heart  and  triest  the  reins,  and  requirest  truth  in  the 
inward  parts ;  help  me  now,  I  beseech  Thee,  so  dili- 
gently and  impartially  to  examine  my  life,  and  to 
seek  the  ground  of  my  heart,  that  I  may  discover  all 
my  most  hidden  corruptions,  and  suffer  not  any  ac- 
cursed thing  to  lurk  within  me.  I  have  sinned,  O 
Lord,  and  have  done  perversely  :  I  have  committed 
wickedness:  I  have  sinned  against  Thee  from  my 
youth,  even  unto  this  day,  and  have  not  obeyed  the 
voice  of  the  Lord  my  God.  Lord,  make  me  to  know 
my  transgression  and  my  sin,  and  to  loathe  myself  in 
mine  own  sight  for  all  the  evils  that  I  have  com- 
mitted. Open  mine  eyes,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  see 
the  excellency  of  Thy  law ;  and  assuredly  knowing 
that  all  Thy  commandments  are  holy,  and  just,  and 
good,  I  may  be  ashamed  and  confounded  at  my  own 
perverseness  and  ingratitude,  in  having  so  often  and 
so  grievously  offended  against  them;  and  may  so 
bethink  myself,  and  repent,  and  mourn,  and  cry 
mightily  unto  Thee  for  pardon  and  grace,  that  Thou 


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*- ' 

19 

mayesl  hear  my  prayer  and  my  Bupplication  from 
heaven  Thy  dwelling-place,  and  forgive  me  all  my 
transgressions  wherein  I  have  transgressed  against 
Thee,  and  hearken  unto  me  in  all  thai  I  shall  call 
upon  Thee  for;  through  the  mediation  of  Jesus 
Christ,    Thine  only  .Son  our  Saviour.     Amen. 


— 4 


*- 


SENTENCES  OF  SCRIPTURE. 


Repent,  and  turn  yourselves  from  all  your  trans- 
gressions; so  iniquity  shall  not  be  your  ruin.  Ezek. 
xviii,  30. 

Wash  you,  make  you  clean  ;  put  away  the  evil  of 
your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes;  cease  to  do  evil; 
learn  to  do  well.     Isaiah  i,  16,  17. 

Put  off' concerning  the  former  conversation  the  old 
man,  which  is  corrupt  according  to  the  deceitful 
lusts ;  and  be  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  your  mind. 
Ephes.  iv,  22,  23. 

And  put  on  the  new  man,  which  after  God  is  cre- 
ated in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  Ephes.  iv, 
24. 

Set  your  affection  on  things  above,  not  on  things 
on  the  earth:  for  ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid 
.with  Christ  in  God.  When  Christ,  who  is  our  life, 
shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in 
glory.  Mortify,  therefore,  your  members  which  are 
upon  the  earth;  fornication,  uncleanncss,  inordinate 
affection,  evil  concupiscence,  and  covetousness,  which 
is  idolatry.     Col.  iii,  2-5. 

Flee  these  things;  and  follow  after  righteousness, 
godliness,  faith,  love,  patience,  meekness.     Fight  the 

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good  fight  of  faith,  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  x 
unto  thou  art  also  called.     1  Tim.  vi,  11.  l  2. 

■ding  aa   his  divine  power  hath  given  unto 
us  all   things  that  pertain  unto   life   and 
through  the  knowledge  of  him  that  hath  called  U9  to 
glory  and  virtue:  whereby  are  given  unto 

ind  precious  promises:  that  by  these   ye 
might    be    partakers   of  the   divine   nature,  ! 
escaped  the  corruption  that  is  in  the  world  through 
\nd  besides  this,  giving  all  diligence,  add  to 
your  faith    virtue;    and   to   virtue   knowledge; 
to  knowledge  temperance;  and  to  temperanc 
hence;  and  to  patience  godliness;  and  to  godliness 
brotherly  kindness ;  and  to  brotherly  kindness  char-  I 
ity.     For  if  these  things  be  in  you,  and  abound,  they 
make  you  that  ye  shall  neither  be  barren  nor  un- 
fruitful in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
•   3. 

But  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?     2  Cor.  ii, 
16. 

And  he  said  unto  me,  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  | 
thee:  for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weal 
B ■'■■  ladly,  therefore,  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  in- 

firmities, that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me. 
p.  xii,  9. 

For  when  1  am  weak,  then  am  T  strong.      2   Cor. 
xii,  10. 

Work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trem- 

, d& 


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!  bling:  for  it  is  God  which  worketh  in  you  bath  to  will 
and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.      Phil,  ii,  12,  13. 

I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  which  strength- 
ened me.     Phil,  iv,  13. 

By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith;  and  that  not 
of  yourselves :  it  is  the  gift  of  God.     Eph.  ii,  8. 

For  we  are  his  workmanship,  created  in  Christ 
Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God  hath  before  or- 
dained that  we  should  walk  in  them.     Eph.  ii,  10. 


i : — <4 


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— ^ 


PETITIONS   FOR  THE   GRACES  AND  VIR- 
TUES OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  LIFE. 

Most  blessed  God,  the  Fountain  of  all  goodness, 
who  didst  create  man  at  first  in  Thine  own  image, 
and  when  that  was  defaced  by  sin,  wast  graciously 
pleaa  I  to  create  us  again  in  Christ  Jesus  after 
Thine  own  likeness,  in  righteousness  and  true  holi- 
!  humbly  bes<  ech  Thee  of  Thine  infinite  good- 
ud  mercy  to  endue  me,  Thy  most  unworthy 
creature,  with  that  God-like  temper  of  mind  and 
those  beavenly  virtues,  which  constitute  the  new 
creature:  and  which  may  dispose  me  for  the  attain- 
ment of  that  glorious  end,  for  which  I  was  created. 
redeemed,  and  regenerated. 

Send  down,  O  Heavenly  Father,  the  graces  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  upon  Thy  servant  to  sanctify  my  nature  ; 
to  renew  me  in  the  spirit  of  my  mind ;  and  to  enable 
me  so  diligently  to  tread  in  the  blessed  steps  of  my 
Divine  Master  and  Saviour,  that  the  life  of  Jesus 
may  be  Been  in  all  my  actions,  and  His  image  be 
formed  in  my  soul:  and  that,  devoting  myself  wholly 
to  Thy  holy  will  and  pleasure,  I  may  constantly 
strive  to  employ  every  faculty  of  my  soul,  and  every 
member  of  my  body,  and  every  day  of  my  life,  in 
Thy  service,  and  to  Thy  glory. 

£  


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■       24 

Possess  my  soul,  I  beseech  Thee,  with  such  strong 
and  lively  apprehensions  of  the  adorable  perfections 
of  Thy  Majesty,  and  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  my 
being  in  some  measure  a  partaker  of  the  Divine  na- 
ture here,  in  order  to  qualify  me  for  the  fruition  of 
Thy  glorious  Godhead  hereafter,  as  may  effectually 
j  engage  me  to  be  holy,  as  Thou  art  holy ;  pure,  as 
i  Thou  art  pure;  and  conformable  to  Thee  in  all 
I  Thine  imitable  excellencies. 

Give  me  grace,  O  Lord,  to  love  Thee  with  all  my 
!  heart,  and  to  serve  Thee  with  all  my  strength ;  and 
to  make  Thee,  the  Omnipresent  and  Omnipotent 
God,  my  only  fear  and  hope,  my  trust  and  confi- 
|  dence,  my  joy  and  desire.  Dispose  me  to  hear,  and 
j  read,  and  meditate  on  Thy  word  Avith  attention 
!  and  delight;  to  pray  without  ceasing;  to  give  thanks 
j  to  Thee  in  everything;  to  be  constant  and  eonscien- 
j  tious  in  the  performance  of  all  religious  duties;  and 
j  to  perform  them  always  with  such  reverence  and  de- 
|  votion,  as  may  be  acceptable  in  Thy  sight,  through 
the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Saviour. 

O  Holy  Father,  enable  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  to 
cleanse  my  heart  from  all  evil  imaginations;  to  sub- 
due every  inordinate  desire  ;  and  to  fix  my  mind 
upon  those  transcendent  and  durable  pleasures 
which  are  at  Thy  right  hand.  Grant,  O  Lord,  that 
I  may  make  it  my  principal  concern  and  endeavor 
to  please  Thee,  by  being  pure  and  chaste  in  all  my 

6 


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thoughts;  sober,  contested,  and  thankful  in  all  my 
enjoyments;  humble  in  my  opinion  of  myself,  charit- 
able in  all  my  sentiments  and  speeches  of  others; 
meek  and  patienl  under  provocations  and  injuries, 
sincere  and  faithful  in  all  my  professions,  just  and 
uprighl  in  all  my  dealings,  diligent  and  cheerful  in 
all  my  employments,  discreet,  inoffensive,  and  blame- 
less in  my  conversation,  and  useful  in  every  relation 
and  capacity  of  life. 

And  I  beseech  Thee.  ()  Lord,  to  pour  into  my 
heart  such  a  measure  of  that  most  excellent  ■_ 
charity,  a.-  may  dispose  me.  for  Thy  sake,  to  love  all 
men  as  I  love  myself ;  to  forgive  and  pray  for  my 
enemies,  persecutors,  and  slanderers;  and  to  be 
ready  to  do  all  the  good  ollices  in  my  power  to  any 
of  my  fellow-creatures. 

Finally,  O  Lord,  I  most  humbly  beg  that  whatso- 
ever things  are  true,  honest,  just,  pure,  lovely,  and  of 
good  report.  I  may  think  on  these  things;  and  that 
they  may  abound  in  me  cv^'vy  day  more  and  more: 
that  I  may  be  always  growing  wiser  and  better; 
always  studying  to  do  more  and  more  good  :  always 
laboring  to  be  stronger  in  the  faith,  richer  in  good 
works,  more  frequent  in  my  devotions,  more  fervent 
in  Thy  service,  more  zealous  for  Thy  glory,  more 
eminent  in  meekness  and  humility,  in  patience,  char- 
ity, and  everything  that  is  good  and  acceptable  to 
Thee;   that  so  I  may   shine  as  a   light  in   the  world, 


&>■ 


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26 

and  excite  others  by  my  example  to  glorify  Thee  our 
Heavenly  Father;  and  when  Jesus  Christ  the  Chief 
Shepherd  shall  appear,  I  may  receive  of  him  a  crown 
of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away.     Amen. 


<€ 


SENTENCES  OF  SCRIPTUKE. 


Blessed  i<  he  whose  unrighteousness  is  forgiven, 
and  whose  sin  Is  covered. 

Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord  imputeth 

.  and  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile.  Psalm 
xxxii.  1 .  2. 

I  will  acknowledge  my  sin  unto  thee,  and  mine 
unrighteousnetf  have  I  not  hid. 

J  said,  I  will  confess  my  sins  unto  the  Lord;  and 
so  thou  forgavest  the  wickedness  of  my  sin.  Psalm 
xxxii,  5,  6. 

For  this  shall  every  one  that  is  godly  make  his 
prayer  unto  thee,  in  a  time  when  thou  mayest  be 
found. 

Thou  art  a  place  to  hide  me  in;  thou  shalt  pre- 
serve me  from  trouble;  thou  shalt  compass  me  about 
with  Bongs  of  deliverance.     Psalm  xxxii,  7.  8. 

I  sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me;  yea,  he  de- 
livered me  out  of  all  my  fear. 

They  had  an  eye  unto  him,  and  were  lightened; 
and  their  faces  were  not  ashamed. 

Lo,  the  poor  crieth,  and  the  Lord  heareth  him; 
yea,  and  saveth  him  out  of  all  his  troubles. 

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28 


The  angel  of  the  Lord  tarrieth  round  about  them 
that  fear  him,  and  delivereth  them. 

O  taste,  and  see,  how  gracious  the  Lord  is ;  blessed 
is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  him. 

O  fear  the  Lord,  ye  that  are  his  saints ;  for  they 
that  fear  him  lack  nothing.     Psalm  xxxiv,  4-9. 

The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  over  the  righteous ;  and 
his  ears  are  open  unto  their  prayers.  Psalm  xxxiv, 
15. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  contrite 
heart;  and  will  save  such  as  be  of  an  humble  spirit. 

Great  are  the  troubles  of  the  righteous  ;  but  the 
Lord  delivereth  him  out  of  all.     Psalm  xxxiv,  18,  19. 

The  Lord  delivereth  the  souls  of  his  servants;  and 
all  they  that  put  their  trust  in  him  shall  not  be  desti- 
tute.    Psalm  xxxiv,  22. 

Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright ; 
for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.     Psalm  xxxvii,  37. 

Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind 
is  stayed  on  thee :  because  he  trusteth  in  thee. 

Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  forever:  for  in  the  Lord  Je- 
hovah is  everlasting  strength.     Isaiah  xxvi,  3,  4. 

The  way  of  the  just  is  uprightness:  thou,  most 
upright,  dost  weigh  the  path  of  the  just.  Isaiah 
xxvi,  7. 

Great  peace  have  they  which  love  thy  law:  and 
nothing  shall  offend  them.     Psalm  cxix,  165. 


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20 


II. 

lie  that  keepeth  the  commandment  keepeth  his 
own  bouI;  but  he  thai  despiseth  his  ways  shall  die. 
Prov.  six,  1 6. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  tendeth  to  1  i f < * :  and  lie  that 
hath  it  shall  abide  satisfied;  he  shall  not  be  visited 
with  evil.      Prov.  xix,  23. 

Whoso  keepeth  the  commandment  shall  feel  no 
evil  thing.      Eeel.  viii,  5. 

The  Lord  is  with  you,  while  ye  be  with  him;  and 
it'  ye  seek  him,  he  will  be  found  of  you;  but  it'  ye 
forsake  him,  he  will  forsake  you.     2  Chron.  xv,  2. 

Be  ye  strong,  therefore,  and  let  not  your  hands  be 
weak:  for  your  work  shall  be  rewarded.  2  Chron. 
xv.  7. 

Sow  to  yourselves  in  righteousness,  reap  in  mercy; 
break  up  your  fallow  ground:  for  it  is  time  to  seek 
the  Lord,  till  he  come  and  rain  righteousness  upon 


VMM. 


Eosea  \.  1 2. 


And  exercise  thyself  rather  unto  godliness.  For 
bodily  exercise  profiteth  little:  but  godliness  is  prof- 
itable unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come.  1  Tim.  iv, 
7,8. 

And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God.      Rom.  viii.  28. 


■* 


30 

See,  I  have  set  before  thee  this  day  life  and  good, 
and  death  and  evil.     Deut.  xxx,  15. 

Therefore,  choose  life,  that  both  thou  and  thy  seed 
may  live :  that  thou  mayest  love  the  Lord  thy  God, 
and  that  thou  mayest  obey  his  voice,  and  that  thou 
mayest  cleave  unto  him:  for  he  is  thy  life,  and  the 
length  of  thy  days.     Deut.  xxx,  19,  20. 

Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have 
entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him.      1  Cor.  ii,  9. 

They  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in 
that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels;  and  I  will 
spare  them,  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that 
serveth  him.     Mai.  iii,  1 7. 

Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a 
crown  of  life.     Rev.  ii,  10. 

And,  behold,  I  come  quickly;  and  my  reward  is 
with  me,  to  give  every  man  according  as  his  work 
shall  be.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning 
and  the  end,  the  first  and  the  last.  Blessed  are  they 
that  do  his  commandments,  that  they  may  have  right 
to  the  tree  of  life,  and  may  enter  in  through  the 
gates  into  the  city.  For  without  are  dogs,  and  sor- 
cerers, and  whoremongers,  and  murderers,  and  idola- 
ters, and  whosoever  loveth  and  maketh  a  lie.  Rev. 
xxii,  12-15. 

But  ye,  beloved,  building  up  yourselves  on  your 
most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy   Ghost,  keep 

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81 


yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life.  Jude, 
20,  21. 

Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  keep  us  from  falling, 
and  to  present  us  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his 
glory  with  exceeding  joy,  to  the  only  wise  God  our 
Saviour,  be  glory  and  majesty,  dominion  and  power, 
both  now  and  forever.     Amen.     Jude,  24,  :'■< 


z>p- 


32 


PRAYER 

TOR    god's    acceptance    of    our    devotions, 

AND  FOR  GRACE  TO  PUT  IN  PRACTICE  OUR 
GOOD  RESOLUTIONS,  AND  FINALLY  TO  ATTAIN 
EVERLASTING   LIFE. 

Blessed  be  Thy  Holy  Name,  O  Lord  my  God,  for 
Thy  great  mercy  and  goodness  to  Thine  unworthy 
servant  this  day,  in  giving  me  both  the  opportunity 
and  the  will  to  retire  from  the  world,  in  order  to  a 
more  serious  and  solemn  attendance  on  those  reli- 
gious duties  that  concern  my  everlasting  salvation. 

Accept,  I  humbly  beseech  Thee,  my  humiliation 
and  repentance  for  all  the  sins  of  my  past  life  ;  my 
resolutions  of  better  obedience  for  the  time  to  come ; 
and  the  prayers,  and  supplications,  and  thanksgiv- 
ings which  I  have  oifered  up  to  Thy  Divine  Majesty. 

Of  Thine  infinite  mercy  pardon  all  my  failings ; 
and  whatsoever  good  work  £Thou  hast  begun  in  me, 
be  pleased  to  accomplish  and  perfect  it  until  the  day 
of  Christ.  Lord,  Thou  knowest  my  weakness,  and 
the  number  and  strength  of  those  temptations  I  am 
to  struggle  with:  O  leave  me  not  to  -myself;  but 
cover  Thou  my  head  in  the  day  of  battle,  and  in  all 
my  spiritual  conflicts  make  me  more  than  conqueror 
through  Him  that  loved  me.      O  let  not  the  terrors 


■&. 


33 


or  flatteries  of  the  world,  nor  the  deoeitfuln 
mine  own  corrupt  heart,  ever  betray  me  to  the 
breach  of  tho^e  promises  which  I  have  made  to 
Thee  this  da\  :  bul  §rant  thai  I  may  be  e 
immovable,  and  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  thai  I  may  in  the  end  obtain  that  eternal 
life  which  Thou  hast  promised  to  those  who,  by  ]>a- 
tient  continuance  in  well-doing,  seek  for  glory,  and 
,  honor,  and  immortality. 

Grant  this,  <)  merciftil  Father,  for  the  sake  of  my 
•  1  Sayiour  and  Redeemer,  Jesus  Christ;  who 
died  for  our  sin-,  and  rose  again  for  our  justification^ 
and  now  sitteth  at  Thy  right  hand  to  make  intercelfc 
sion  for  all  penitent  and  returning  Burners.  Amen. 
Amen. 


Note. — The  Prayers,  Selected  ]'- 
Scripture,  are   taken   from  the   Rev.  Richard  Hole's  l>e- 
votions. 


#> ■ 


■  43 


v 


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